kidneys, ureters and suprarenal glands Flashcards
where are the kidneys located?
lie retroperitoneally (behind the peritoenum) in the posterior abdomen, either side of the vertebral column
what vertebral levels do the kidneys correspond to?
T12-L3
which kidney lies slightly lower and why?
right due to the liver
what are the layers that enclose the kidneys from deep to superficial?
• renal capsule = tough fibrous capsule
• perirenal fat = collection of extraperitoneal fat
• renal fascia = (also knownas Gerota’s fascia or perirenal fascia) encloses the kidneys and the suprarenal glands
• pararenal fat = mainly located on the posterolateral aspect of the kidney
what 2 main areas is the renal parenchyma divided into?
the outer cortex and inner medulla
the cortex extends into the medulla, dividing it into what?
renal pyramids
what is the apex of the renal pyramid called?
renal papilla
what is each renal papilla associated with?
minor calyx — collects urine from the pyramids
what do several minor calices merge to form?
major calyx
urine passes throguh the major calices into what?
renal pelvis = a flattened and funnel-shaped strucutre
what is the medial margin of each kidney marked by?
a deep fissure known as the renal hilum — acts as a gateway to the kidney — normally the renal vessels and ureter enter/exit here
what lies anterior to the left kidney?
- suprarenal gland
- spleen
- stomach
- pancreas
- left colic flexure
- jejunum
what lies posterior to the left kidney?
- diaphragm
- costodiaphragmatic recess
- 11th and 12th ribs
- psoas major, quadratus lumborum and trasnversus abdominis
- subcostal, iliohypogastric and ilioinguinal nerves
what lies anteiror to the right kidney?
- suprarenal gland
- liver
- 2nd part of duodenum
- right colic flexure
what lies posterior to the right kidney?
- diaphragm
- 12th rib
- psoas major, quadratus lumborum and trasnversus abdominis
- subcostal, iliohypogastric and ilioinguinal nerves
what do the renal arteries arise from?
abdominal aorta at L1, immediately distal to the origin of the SMA
due to the anatomical position of the abdominal aorta (slightly to the left of the midline), the _______ renal artery is longer, and crosses the vena cava ________
due to the anatomical position of the abdominal aorta (slightly to the left of the midline), the right renal artery is longer, and crosses the vena cava posteriorly
at the hilum level, what does the renal artery form?
an anterior and posterior division which carry 75% and 25% of the blood supply to the kidney respectively
what originate from the anterior and posterior divisions of the renal artery?
5 segmental arteries
imaginary line along the lateral and slightly posterior border of the kidney, which delineates the segments of the kidney supplied by the anterior and posterior divisions — it is an important access route for both open and endoscopic surgical access of the kidney, as it minimises the risk of damage to major arterial branches
what is the name of this line?
avascular plane of the kidney (line of Brodel)
descirbe the further divisions of the segmental arteries
• each segmental artery divides to form interlobar arteries — situated either side every renal pyramid
• these interlobar arteries undergo further division to form the arcuate arteries
• the interlobular arteirs pass throguh the cortex, dividing one last time to form afferent arterioles
• the afferent arterioles form a capillary network, the glomerulus, where filtration takes place. the capillaries come together to form the efferent arterioles
in the outer 2/3rds of the renal cortex, what do the efferent arterioles form?
peritubular network, supplying the nephron tubules with O2 and nutrients
what are the inner third of the cortex and the medulla supplied by?
long, straight arteries called vasa recta
the renal artery branches are anatomical end arteries – there is no communication between vessels. why is this of importance?
because trauma or obstruction in one arterial branch will eventually lead to ischaemia and necrosis of the renal parenchyma supplied by this vessel
describe venous drainage of the kidneys
• left and right renal veins
• leave the renal hilum anteriorly to the renal arteries and empty directly into the IVC
• as the IVC lies slightly to the right, the left renal vein is longer, and travels anteriorly to the abdominal aorta below the origin of the SMA
• the right renal artery lies postieror to the IVC